Traditionally, funeral directors have offered a small selection of wood or wood veneer coffins, but this has changed in recent years, with customers becoming more aware of a greater range of options.

Hainsworth says sales of Natural Legacy coffins have risen dramatically during the past year, as more and more independent funeral directors add them to their customer offer and it is forecasting that, by the end of 2013, it will be selling 200 coffins a month, compared with 120 a year ago.

“Funeral directors have told us that families like the warm, tactile, soft and comforting feel of our Natural Legacy woollen coffins,” said sales and marketing director Diane Simpson.

“They also like the design, quality and how pleasing they are to the eye.”

The Natural Legacy by Hainsworth range includes adult and child coffins in different sizes and colours.

Shawn Peel, of David Butterfield Funeral Directors in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, said he had seen increasing demand from families looking for something different.

“I have had some fantastic feedback from families who say the coffins have made a real difference to the funerals of their loved ones,” he added.

“People say they find the woollen coffins so much easier to view. They can help with the grieving process.”

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